Exeter’s Ali Hepher will take his first step up the international coaching ladder in June after being invited to tour South Africa with England Saxons this summer. The Guardian understands the highly rated Hepher has accepted a tour role but the Chiefs’ director of rugby, Rob Baxter, will not be involved.
Hepher, who helped Northampton win the 2000 European Cup final in his playing days, never won a senior Test cap but, as backs coach, has been a key part of the Chiefs’ rise to prominence domestically and in Europe. The Devon club lie second in the Aviva Premiership and are awaiting their first Champions Cup quarter-final on Saturday.
The final composition of the Saxons coaching team has yet to be confirmed by the Rugby Football Union but the Saracens forwards coach, Alex Sanderson, is among those in the frame. Baxter, however, will not be touring after a demanding domestic season which will extend until the end of May if the Chiefs make the Premiership final. “I can categorically say I am not going,” said Baxter, busy preparing his side to take on Wasps in Coventry.
A number of Exeter players will do their chances of a representative call-up no harm if they finish the season strongly and Baxter is challenging them to show they are ready to make the leap from outsiders to genuine contenders. “I don’t want the players to look at it as a one-off occasion and just go there and enjoy the day,” he said. “That’s the wrong frame of mind for us.
“We are certainly not going to have a run around in the sun and see what happens. We are going to go there and try and be a good, tough Premiership side. The important thing is not to focus overly on Wasps. I know that sounds strange but it’s a bit like when you try and look at a magician too much. You actually get mesmerised and end up not focusing on what you need to do yourselves.”
England’s Six Nations’ grand slam, according to Baxter, has also helped prepare players such as Jack Nowell and Luke Cowan-Dickie for the big club games ahead. “The majority of the England lads look fresh and fit and up above the other guys. From what I gather from speaking to our lads they found the training tough and challenging but feel it has been good for them. What we are seeing with our own eyes is very positive.”
Wasps remain hopeful Charles Piutau and Dan Robson will be fit to face the Chiefs after injury and Joe Simpson is also now back in training. Simpson has been sidelined since January following ankle surgery but Wasps’ director of rugby, Dai Young, insists he and Robson could yet be involved.
The England captain, Dylan Hartley, has also been able to do some running before Northampton’s European quarter-final against Saracens. The 30-year-old Hartley has not played since he was concussed in the grand slam victory over France in Paris last month.
